The Caregiver program enables individuals to immigrate and work in Canada as caregivers. Launched on June 18, 2019, this new pilot program has replaced the previous caregiver programs (Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilots). The new program has a quota of 5,500 total applications annually across both caregiver pilots: the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot. These pilots are five-year programs allowing qualified caregivers and their families to come to Canada with the aim of becoming permanent residents.
Key Differences in the New Caregiver Program
Employer Requirements: The old program was employer-driven and employer-specific, requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for hiring caregivers who were then bound to work for the same employer. The new program remains employer-driven but is not employer-specific. Caregivers need Canadian employers to hire them but are no longer tied to a specific employer or location, allowing them to work for any employer in the same occupation without undergoing the LMIA process.
Family Inclusion: Previously, only caregivers could come to Canada, without their dependent spouse or children. The new program allows caregivers to bring their spouse and dependent children at the work permit stage.
Eligibility Criteria for the New Caregiver Pilot Program
To qualify for a work permit under the Home Child Care Provider (HCCP) or Home Support Worker Pilot (HSWP), applicants must:
Have a valid full-time job offer from a Canadian employer.
Possess education, training, or experience in the occupation of Home Child Care Provider (NOC 4411) or Home Support Worker (NOC 4412).
Achieve a CLB 5 in English or French.
Have one year of Canadian post-secondary education or an equivalent foreign education (ECA report required for overseas education).
Be admissible to Canada.
Application Process for the New Program
Under the new caregiver program, applicants must submit their work permit and permanent residence applications simultaneously for the entire family. This includes open work permits for spouses and study permits or visitor visas for dependent children. Caregivers can expect to receive a decision on their work permit applications within 10-12 months, while their permanent residence applications will be processed after completing two years of work experience with Canadian employers. Caregivers already in Canada under old programs can apply to convert to the new program or file for permanent residence if they meet the new program’s requirements.
How We Can Help
While the program may seem straightforward, it involves complexities. The exemption from the LMIA process requires employers to meet specific program requirements to extend job offers to foreign nationals. Additionally, demonstrating the applicant's capability to work as a caregiver in Canada without prior experience can be challenging.
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